Telemetry for
Fetal Monitoring

Telemetry is a form of electronic fetal monitoring
without
wires. It uses the same sound wave technology as an external
electronic fetal monitor to track the baby’s heartbeat. It can also be used for continuous fetal monitoring to
keep a
running record of the fetal heart tones.

The benefits of this form of fetal monitoring are that
it
allows the mother to have full mobility. There are no wires
to tether her to bed nor other interventions to restrict movement
or comfort level. There is also no constricting belt around the
abdomen to cause discomfort during contractions.

The main disadvantage of this method is lack of widespread availability. It is not an option in a homebirth nor do
many hospitals have it available.

Like the Doptone, it uses
high-frequency sound waves to detect the heart tones, which have been
shown in some animals to cause tissue damage. There are no
longitudinal studies to show its safety nor acceptable thresholds for
exposure.

In addition, it reduces 1:1 monitoring in
that a
computer monitor will be used to track the labor progression, allowing
multiple mothers to be assigned to one nurse. This can
actually increase rates of false alarms and lower detection rates of
true complications that can only be assessed by actual patient contact.